Roman P

"Roman P" is a song by Psychic TV about director Roman Polanski.

"Roman P"
Single by Psychic TV
Released1984
LabelSordide Sentimental SS 33 009

"Roman P." was first performed in nascent form during Psychic TV's 1983 gigs. This early version can be found on the live albums N.Y. Scum and Those Who Do Not. Of the many versions of the song, the best known is the "Fireball Mix" (from the Magickal Mystery D Tour EP), which was featured in a mid-1990s Volkswagen commercial, to the confusion of many fans.

Single

The A-side features the titular song Roman P. The B-side, credited to Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth and entitled "Neurology," contains a message from Mr. Sebastian, a spokesman of Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth, as well as collaged speeches by Charles Manson and Jim Jones which run simultaneously in different stereo channels, and references to Sharon Tate.[1] The release was pressed only as a 7" vinyl record, but two different versions of "Roman P" and both B-side tracks later appeared on the compilation CD Godstar: The Singles - Pt. Two. Side B is a double-grooved track. The needle must hit the correct groove in order to play a specific track.

The first edition was limited to 3003 numbered copies. There is a second edition of unknown unnumbered copies.

"Roman P" gave the band their first hit, reaching number 13 on the UK Independent Chart and staying on the chart for 9 weeks.[2]

Track listing

Side A
Psychic TV (PTV): "Roman P (Short Version)"
Side B
Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth (TOPY): "Neurology"
1. TOPY Spokesman (spelled "TOPY's Spokeman" on the single sleeve)
2a. Jim Jones (right)
2b. Charles Manson (left)

Reissue with "Good Vibrations"

"Roman P" was re-issued as a double A-side in 1986 with a cover version of "Good Vibrations". The single reached number 48 on the UK Singles Chart and number 65 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3][4]

Covers

A version of this song was recorded by the electro-industrial band Asmodeus X on their album Morningstar.

References
  1. Wells, Simon (2009) Charles Manson: Coming Down Fast, Hodder, ISBN 978-0340977033
  2. Lazell, Barry (1997) Indie Hits 1980-1989, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 0-95172-069-4, p. 179
  3. Roberts, David (2004) Guinness British Hit Singles and Albums - 17th Edition, Guinness World Records Limited, ISBN 978-0851121994, p. 440
  4. Rust, Victor (2010) The Cliff Richard Recording Catalogue, ISBN 978-0956738400, p. 176


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